by Keith Sharp
Many institutional churches of Christ have “children’s church.” During the worship assembly children go into a separate room where they have their own worship. By doing this, the adults in charge of the children miss the worship assembly of the church (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25), and the parents are robbed of the opportunity to teach their children how to behave in church (Ephesians 6:4). These are grave mistakes.
But another mistake made by many parents is to allow the children to play, make noise that disrupts the worship of others, run loose, or simply sleep (I’m not talking about infants). This is the problem that led to the unscriptural practice of children’s church.
I advocate a third alternative.
Let’s get some background.
Jochebed, Moses’ mother, taught him from infancy that he was Israelite rather than an Egyptian (Exodus chapter 2; cf. Hebrews 11:23). Thus,
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26).
Moses commanded parents in Israel:
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Israelite parents were responsible for teaching their children the law of God, and the divine law was to be their constant conversation with their children. But under the New Testament, teaching our children the word of God is even more important. Israelite children were born into covenant relationship with God and then had to be taught to know Him. Under the New Testament people can’t even come into covenant relationship with God until they have been taught His will (Hebrews 8:10-11). Our heavenly Father has many children, but He has no grandchildren. To come to Christ and be saved, our children must be taught about God (John 6:44-45), and parents must teach them (Ephesians 6:4).
Hannah, Samuel’s mother, “lent” him “to the Lord” for life at the time he was weaned (1 Samuel 1:21-28). From that tender age he lived with Eli the High Priest and Judge of Israel at the tabernacle. As a small child and as a boy he “ministered to the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:11; 3:1). He “did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3:7). But the Lord appeared to him as he lay on his bed about to go to sleep. Directed by Eli, he replied to the LORD, “Speak for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10).
“So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:19-20).
If the boy Samuel could minister before the LORD and become His faithful prophet, why are our boys and girls sleeping or playing in church and missing Bible classes for school or recreational activities?
Jesus is God (John 1:1-3), but He “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren…” (Hebrews 2:17). He was and is truly a man (1 Timothy 2:5). As a child “He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52), that is, He grew in all the ways children are to grow, just as our children should. At twelve years of age He amazed the learned teachers of the law with his understanding of the Scriptures (Luke 2:41-47). Why should our children remain ignorant of the Word of God?
Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice taught him the Scriptures “from childhood” (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15). He became the apostle Paul’s true and beloved son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2). At one time the apostle had no other companion like him to sincerely care for the brethren (Philippians 2:20).
Parents, let’s get serious about the spiritual growth of our children. Study the Bible with them at home. On trips, take Scripture material with you to keep them occupied. Teach them to
memorize the Scriptures. Have them in Bible class and the worship assembly. Don’t let school or recreational activities interfere. Make sure they sit up, pay attention, and even take notes. They can copy the main points of the charts before they are even old enough to understand them. If they’re good readers, have them read this article.
Are our children capable of paying attention and learning in school? Why not in church? Which is more important? What if your child gets a doctor’s degree or learns to be a great business person but never becomes a faithful Christian? (cf. Matthew 16:26-27)
Hosea warned Israel:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).
What’s going to happen to the next generation?
